Packing organizer

ABSTRACT

A packing organizer is disclosed for use with a suitcase, trunk or similar article. The packing organizer has a base with a top surface adapted to receive items to be packed, a bottom surface, opposed ends and opposed sides. A side flap extends from each of the opposed sides of the base and an end flap extends from each of the opposed ends of the base. At least one handle extends from at least one of the side or end flaps. Retaining means extend from at least one of the side flaps or end flaps and are adapted to matingly engage with cooperating fastening means on the other of the side flaps or end flaps. The end flaps, side flaps and the retaining means are dimensioned to extend over items packed on the base to at least partially enclose and secure the packed items.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is concerned with a packing organizer Morespecifically, the present invention is directed to a packing organizerfor a suitcase, trunk or similar article which permits a user to divideand organize the contents of a suitcase, thereby making it easier tofind and access packed items while travelling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various packing organizers are currently available on the market, suchas packing cubes, hanging suitcase shelves, suitcase dividers, linersand rigid trays. Each of these prior packing organizers havedisadvantages.

Packing cubes require that a significant time be spent in organizing andpacking items therein. Further, it is sometimes difficult and timeconsuming identifying and retrieving items from the packed cubes.

Hanging suitcase shelves have the disadvantage that they must be hungfor items to be packed and retrieved, as they collapse when not hung,rendering clothes inaccessible. Such a hanging shelf system and travelorganizer is known from WO 2011034653 A1.

Known suitcase dividers typically attach to the lid of a suitcase anddivide opposing sections of the suitcase into separate compartments.Such dividers make the suitcase lid heavy and unwieldy. Further, suchdividers require a large space to lay flat both sides of the suitcasewhen packing and unpacking and generally cannot be used with thesuitcase racks typically provided by hotels, which require the lid ofthe suitcase to rest against a wall. An example of such a suitcasedivider is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,432.

The use of rigid trays for organizing a suitcase or trunk are alsoknown. These can be undesirable as they waste space by leaving gapsbetween items placed below the tray. They are also difficult to graspwhen the tray is inside the suitcase, and they allow clothing and otheritems to fall off the sides of the tray easily during the insertion andremoval of the tray from the suitcase.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,861,504 to McGraw discloses one example of a liner orcube for a suitcase. The purpose of the disclosed liner is to enableready inspection of the contents of a suitcase without having to removeall items therefrom. Specifically, the liner is similar to a packingcube and is made of a transparent material so that the contents thereincan be readily viewed. The liner has a closure means, such as a zipper,for packing and unpacking of contents and includes at least one handlefor carrying the liner and lifting the same out of the suitcase. Theliner is sized to fit snugly within the interior of a suitcase to limitmovement of the same. More than one liner can be provided and the patentalso discloses in this regard two side-by-side liners or cubes fitsnugly in a suitcase. A disadvantage of such a packing organizer is thata significant amount of time is required to pack and organize the lineras well as in identifying and retrieving items therefrom. Access to thecontents of the liner can only be provided by opening the liner andsearching through and removing the items desired.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,384,332 discloses a luggage fitting which can be easilyremoved from a suitcase and hung in an outstretched condition in acloset or the like. The fitting is designed for retaining garments, suchas dresses, without wrinkling the same. The fitting includes top andbottom sections which are hingedly connected to a base section. Thesections are formed of a lightweight fiberboard to provide suitablestiffness to support the garment. A hanger post is provided for hangingthe garment at one end of the fitting and the lid of the suitcase isprovided with means for retaining the fitting. In use, the fitting isextended in a flat condition, the clothes are hung on the hanger post,and then the bottom section is raised to be substantially parallel tothe top section and partially enclose the garments between the top andbottom sections. The fitting is then inserted into the lid of thesuitcase. On removal, the fitting is opened to a flat condition and canbe hung in a closet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a packing organizer which includes a base portion having a topsurface adapted to receive items to be packed, a bottom surface, opposedends and opposed sides. A side flap extends from each of the opposedsides; and an end flap extends from each of the opposed ends. At leastone handle extends from at least one of the side or end flaps. Retainingmeans extend from at least one of the side flaps or end flaps and areadapted to matingly engage with cooperating fastening means on the otherof the side flaps or end flaps. The end flaps, side flaps and retainingmeans are of a dimension to extend over items packed on the base to atleast partially enclose and secure the packed items.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a packing organizer comprising: a substantially rigid basemember having opposed sides and ends; a flexible side wall extendingcontinuously around the base member, the side wall having securing meansfor securing packed items on the base; and gripping means extending fromthe side wall at the ends of the base member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a packing organizer according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the packing organizer with packed itemstherein and inserted into a suitcase on top of other packed items;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the packing organizer with items packedtherein, inserted in a suitcase;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative packing organizer of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 shown withitems packed therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a packing organizer 2 which has a base or bottomsurface 4. The base 4 is generally flat and of a material which islight-weight, and sufficiently semi-rigid or rigid to support itemspacked thereon. In a preferred embodiment, the base 4 consists of agenerally rectangular outer wire frame 6 which is covered with asuitable light weight fabric. Examples of suitable light weight fabricsare nylon, cotton, cotton blends, and polyester although any othersuitable fabric could be utilized.

The base 4 could also be formed of cardboard or plastic materials whichhave the desired strength and flexibility.

The base 4 is of a size to fit within a suitcase. Preferably, the base 4is of a length and width slightly smaller than the interior of asuitcase so that it can be readily inserted and removed therefrom.

The organizer 2 includes side flaps 8 and 10 and end flaps 12, 14. Theflaps are also made of lightweight flexible material. The flaps can beof any suitable material such as any cloth, nylon, plastic, etc. Theside flaps 8, 10 and end flaps 12, 14 are of a dimension such that theycan be folded over items 30 packed on the base to at least partiallyenclose and aid in the retention of the same. Handles 16 and 18 areprovided on the end flaps 12, 14 to permit easy insertion and removal ofthe organizer 2 from a suitcase.

Further, the flaps can be of the same or different lengths/varyingdimensions such that they at least partially surround or fully envelopethe packed items. Pockets (not shown) may be provided in some or all ofthe flaps for securing smaller items to be packed, such as jewellery,toiletries, cosmetics, etc.

The organizer 2 is also provided with hold down or retaining straps 20on one of the side flaps 10. At the ends of the straps are fastenermeans 22, such as Velcro or other suitable fastener means. The otherside flap 8 is provided with cooperating fasteners 24 to releasablyretain the straps.

As shown in FIG. 2, when in use, items 30, such as clothing and otheraccessories, are placed on the base 4, the side flaps 8, 10 and endflaps 12 ,14 are folded over items 30 to partially enclose the items 30forming a basket to retain the items 30. The retaining straps 20 areextended over the items 30 and secured in mating engagement with thecooperating fasteners 24 on the other side flap 10 to assist inretaining and securing the items 30 in place. As illustrated in FIG. 2,the packing organizer 2 can be packed with items 30 and placed on top ofother items 32 already packed in the suitcase 40.

Alternately, the organizer 2 can be placed in the bottom of a suitcase40 as shown in FIG. 3. In this arrangement, additional items could beplaced on top of the organizer 2 within the suitcase 40 or alternativelyseveral of the organizers 2 can be used in a single suitcase, with theorganizers being stacked on top of each other.

The packed organizers 2 can be readily removed from the suitcase bylifting with the handles 16, 18. Once removed, the organizer can beplaced on any flat surface, such as a table, bed, floor, etc. whereitems can be easily seen and removed from the organizer withoutdisturbing all items packed in the suitcase 40.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an alternate arrangement of the packingorganizer 2, where a continuous side 42 is provided in place of flaps.Although a mesh side wall 42 is illustrated, it will be appreciated thatthe side wall 42 could be of any flexible light weight material. Theside 42 is continuous around the base 4 and is of a dimension to formsides partially enclosing items 30 placed on the base 4. In thisembodiment, items are placed on the base 4 and the sides 42 liftedupwardly and secured around the items through the use of retainingstraps 20 in a similar manner to those used with the flaps. The strapscan be secured in with any suitable fasteners, such as snaps, ties,Velcro®, buttons, buckles etc.

Alternately, in place of retaining straps, a draw string (not shown) canbe provided around the top edge of the side 42, which can be tightenedover the packed items.

Further, the packing organizer can include dividers (not shown) todivide the organizer into compartments or sections, to aid in furtherorganizing packed items.

The present invention provides a very lightweight packing organizer thatwill enable travellers to readily pack items in an organized manner andto easily access packed items, without disturbing the contents of theentire suitcase and without adding substantial weight to the suitcase.The organizer will keep the packed items organized and neat and readilyaccessible to avoid travellers having to expend significant time andeffort in locating or removing items from a packed suitcase.

Having thus described preferred embodiments of the present invention, itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modificationscan be made thereto. The scope of the claims should not be limited bythe preferred embodiments set forth herein, but should be given thebroadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A packing organizercomprising: a base having a top surface adapted to receive items to bepacked, a bottom surface, opposed ends and opposed sides; a side flapextending from each of the opposed sides; an end flap extending fromeach of the opposed ends; at least one handle extending from at leastone of the side or end flaps; and retaining means extending from atleast one of the side flaps or end flaps and adapted to matingly engagewith cooperating fastening means on the other of the side flaps or endflaps; wherein said end flaps, said side flaps and said retaining meansare of a dimension to extend over items packed on the base to at leastpartially enclose and secure the packed items.
 2. The packing organizeraccording to claim 1, wherein the base is of a semi-rigid materialselected from the group consisting of cardboard, plastic and fabric. 3.The packing organizer according to claim 1, wherein two handles areprovided, one associated with each of the end flaps.
 4. The packingorganizer according to claim 1, wherein the base comprises a flexiblematerial stretched over a rigid frame.
 5. The packing organizeraccording to claim 4, wherein the rigid frame is a generally rectangularwire frame.
 6. The packing organizer according to claim 1, wherein theretaining means are a plurality of straps.
 7. The packing organizeraccording to claim 1, wherein the flaps are of lightweight material. 8.The packing organizer according to claim 1, wherein the flaps are mesh.9. The packing organizer according to claim 1, wherein the handles arelooped straps
 10. The packing organizer according to claim 1, whereinthe fastening means are selected from the group consisting of snaps,hook and loop fasteners, buttons, ties, buckles and any combinationsthereof.
 11. A packing organizer comprising: a substantially rigid basemember having opposed sides and ends; a flexible side wall extendingcontinuously around the base member, said side wall having securingmeans for securing packed items on said base; and gripping meansextending from the side wall at the ends of the base member.
 12. Thepacking organizer according to claim 11, wherein the securing meanscomprises cooperating means on opposite sides of said side wall.
 13. Thepacking organizer according to claim 12, wherein the cooperating meansare straps and strap retaining means.
 14. The packing organizeraccording to claim 11, wherein the side wall is mesh.
 15. The packingorganizer according to claim 11, wherein the side wall is a flexiblelightweight material.
 16. The packing organizer according to claim 11,wherein the gripping means are handles.
 17. The packing organizeraccording to claim 16, wherein the handles are looped strap material.18. The packing organizer according to claim 11, wherein the strapretaining means are selected from the group consisting of buttons, ties,hook and loop fasteners, snaps, and combinations thereof.